This is a very interesting resource that illustrates how the major energy sources are used in the US. It can be used to determine the impact that specific energy policies will have on the environment and the economy.

The President outlined some very exciting improvements to current environmental policies in the State of the Union address last night. What a great platform to demand change. And if the parties can’t come to common ground to implement the necessary policies then the White House has promised to act on it’s own accord. How exciting!

“If Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will,” Obama said. “I will direct my cabinet to come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy.”

A senior counsel at the National Wildlife Federation pointed out that the Keystone XL “locks us into quite a few years of increased development of tar sands, which scientists have pretty roundly said the world can’t afford. This is really a good opportunity early on in [Obama’s second term] to send a strong signal that he’s very serious about addressing climate.”

The response to this spill from a Coast Guard representative was “It happens from time to time — the Mississippi River will have vessels that will run aground, have collisions…” Really? Apparently oil spills have become so common that they are a commonly accepted component of doing business for the oil industry. This attitude of acceptance must change.

Environmental groups released a study yesterday that found refining CAnada’s oil sands into gasoline will create 5 billion tons of petroleum coke, or petcoke. Compared with coal, petcoke is cheaper and releases more carbon dioxide when burned.

This method of supplying our country with energy is clearly not a sustainable source. If frack fluids are so harmless, why do they hold onto these trade secrets so strongly? Is it going to take another major catastrophe for politicians and businesses to make the necessary changes to our infrastructure….